Fuck Saddam. We’re taking him out!
So I read this rather histrionic article, and did some digging. Apparently this was Dubya’s considered opinion concerning an Iraqi strategy over a year ago. Sometimes bad rich boys do get everything they ever wanted.
“Fuck Saddam. we’re taking him out.” Those were the words of President George W. Bush, who had poked his head into the office of National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.
It was March 2002, and Rice was meeting with three U.S. Senators, discussing how to deal with Iraq through the United Nations, or perhaps in a coalition with America’s Middle East allies. Bush wasn’t interested. He waved his hand dismissively, recalls a participant, and neatly summed up his Iraq policy in that short phrase.
The Senators laughed uncomfortably; Rice flashed a knowing smile. The President left the room. A year later, Bush’s outburst has been translated into action, as cruise missiles and smart bombs slam into Baghdad.
“Nothing Saddam does can save him, says Powell, “Even if Baghdad readmits United Nations arms inspectors, the United States will still pursue a ‘regime change’ policy, with or without the support of its allies.”
– The Sydney Morning Herald, February 8, 2002
(nine months before U.N. inspectors returned to Iraq)